UFC ‘heading in the direction’ of allowing Conor McGregor a chance at revenge against Dustin Poirier with trilogy fight in pipeline next
- Conor McGregor suffered defeat in rematch with Dustin Poirier at UFC 257
- Irishman had been favourite and stoppage loss was major setback in his plans
- UFC are weighing up what to do now and reportedly favour trilogy bout
- It remains to be seen whether the belt would be on the line in massive contest
Conor McGregor could have his shot at revenge and a trilogy victory over Dustin Poirier as his next fight.
The Irishman suffered the first stoppage loss of his career against ‘Diamond’ last month in the main event of UFC 257 on Fight Island.
He was widely tipped to win and the TKO defeat has thrown a spanner in the works for both the ‘Notorious’ and the UFC. He is desperate for the third fight and Poirier, knowing how lucrative it will be, is also keen.
Dustin Poirier (left) could fight Conor McGregor again next having beaten him at UFC 257
McGregor is desperate for a rematch but it remains to be seen whether it would be for a belt
According to Ariel Helwani, that is now the route the UFC are looking to take next.
‘So now it looks, three weeks later, like we’re going back in the direction of DP vs Conor III,’ he said on DC and Helwani.
‘That seems to be the direction. Whether the belt is on the line or not, that seems to be up in the air.’
Poirier lost to McGregor back in 2014, suffering a KO defeat inside the first two minutes of the first round.
Dana White and Co are reportedly leaning towards allowing McGregor the trilogy fight next
Much has changed since then and the Louisiana native’s improvements came to the fore last month in the most significant victory of his career.
Despite McGregor having the better of the first round, Poirier landed a number of low kicks that immobilised his opponent and allowed him to then find the TKO.
There are a number of top contenders at lightweight now that Khabib has retired. The Russian champion has reiterated that he will not make a comeback and says ‘the division must go on’.
Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira are also in the mix, with Justin Gaethje yet to fight again since losing to Khabib last year.
It will be fascinating to see whether the UFC give the green light to McGregor vs Poirier III and if they put the belt on the line, despite the raft of worthy contenders.
Michael Chandler (right) is among the contenders vying for a title shot having beaten Dan Hooker (left) on his UFC debut in the co-main event of the same card as McGregor last month